Papa loved Psalm 23. On that last morning in the hospital with his body worn out from a septic UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), he suffered a heart attack. Struggling to breathe, agitated, it was hard to calm him down.

Then my sisters and I began reciting: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters…” As we reached “still waters,” Papa’s contorted face relaxed like a wave of peace hit him. His body calmed down. He had such a look of peace as the last few minutes of his life passed away.

Papa loved Psalm 23’s imagery of still waters. There’s a beautiful stain glass window by the front door which names our home, “Still Waters.” It’s not just peace God our Good Shepherd brings with still waters, but nourishment. The realities of sheep management dictate that they can’t drink from waters that aren’t still (so said Papa in one of his booklets. : )

Here’s an invitation today, to let the Good Shepherd lead us to still waters in the midst of our busy days, busy lives. Maybe your children are crying, you’re running to the next thing, or you’re finding despair lurking in the corners of your heart — take a few minutes, listen, quiet your heart. Allow God to lead you to still waters in your life…